I was at an Oscars party. There were ballots drawn, door prizes, everyone sat around checking off nominees on their scorecards, everyone was TOTALLY into it. Not one griper to spoil our fun.
I know it’s fun and all to bitch and moan about the Oscars – but my experience watching them is always a bit different.
I love the human spectacle … I love the high-pitched emotions, I love the tears, I love the acknowledgement of parents, dead and alive, I love seeing them in the audience, reacting, laughing … Everyone describes it as “egotist central”, blah blah, but I just do not see it that way. I’m an actor. What I see are a bunch of people coming together who feel so fortunate that they are actually able to be paid, and not only just paid, but honored for doing what they do. Everyone makes fun of movie stars when they talk about being “artists”, and being “thrilled to be nominated”, but I am telling you: Coming from a place of struggle, and ambition and hopes and dreams, I take those people at their word for it.
Only if you have toiled in obscurity for however long, doing shitty plays on the lower east side, maintaining your hope that someday you will MAKE something of yourself, telling YOURSELF over and over and over again: “You have a right to be here, you have a right to call yourself an actor…” – because you must tell it to yourself, because nobody ELSE is going to say it to you – to feel like you have given up all hope, to feel like you will never “make it” … and then … to find yourself in that crowd, being honored for your work – whether you win or not …
I don’t look at those statements in a cynical light. It IS an honor to be nominated.
Not only that – but the awards themselves, and the judgment of talent is completely subjective.
Well, not completely.
I will say that there is obviously, to any discerning person, a world of difference between Tim Robbins’ performance in Mystic River, and what it demands of the actor – and, say, Will Ferrell’s performance in Elf.
I’m not saying I think one is “better” – I am talking about the level of commitment and courage required to pull off a role.
How can one say that Sean Penn’s performance is BETTER than Bill Murray’s? It is merely a matter of opinion. They both achieved greatness in their roles. Bill McCabe thinks Ken Watanabe should have won Best Supporting Actor. I think Bill is insane for thinking that, even though Watanabe is great, but I think that nobody could have topped Tim Robbins in Mystic River.
It is just opinion. It’s a matter of taste.
I am babbling on like this because I was very sad that Bill Murray “lost”, although I thought Sean Penn’s performance in Mystic River was astounding. At that level, I really can see why Dustin Hoffman made that famous speech years ago, when accepting his Oscar for Kramer vs. Kramer:
“I refuse to say that I BEAT Jack Lemmon…”
Yes. Yes.
In a way, I wish that there were no winners. That the 5 nominees would be the ones chosen as winners.
It’s apples and oranges.
I don’t want to be killed for saying this – but In America was my favorite movie I saw last year. I don’t think it was BETTER than Lord of the Rings, because I don’t look at it that way. I see it as a matter of taste. Samantha Morton’s acting in that film puts everybody else in that category to shame. She is RAW, man. Her acting is bold, it is not a show-off, it is courageous. Watch the scene where she thinks she is going to lose her baby … It is the kind of acting that does not impress with its showiness, it has nothing to do with an accent, a new look, a good publicist … It is REAL.
Is her performance less impressive because she didn’t “win”?
Absolutely not!
Some of the greatest actors in the world haven’t won Oscars.
Bill Murray gave the performance of his life in Lost in Translation. It was full of heart, it was full of pathos … He took his own persona and mellowed it, saddened it … It was truly brave.
I hope he continues to get roles that challenge him, and challenge our assumptions of him. He is a national treasure.
And so I cannot think that Sean Penn BEAT Bill Murray.
Why else do actors always get up there and praise their fellow nominees? I remember Gwyneth Paltrow bawling, “I don’t feel worthy to be up here…”
People may look at her statement in a cynical light, that all actors are attention-whores, and power-grubbing megalomaniacs.
People who think that do not know that many actors.
Actors are some of the most generous humble loving people on the face of this earth. They have chosen one of the most difficult professions to make it in. They must accept that the chances of even making a living are very very slim. Every single person in that auditorium knows that.
That’s why actors talk about their craft in a tone of high calling. That’s why we call it art.
We must believe that what we do really could matter, that we could possibly make a difference in someone’s life through our performance … because the cards are stacked against us.
And so I applaud ALL the nominees. It was an amazing year, I think. For actors.
Benicio del Torro – his performance in 21 Grams is one of the most complex and unbelievable pieces of acting I have seen in a long time. Great work, dude.
Bill Murray – I cherish his performance in Lost in Translation. I cherish that whole movie.
Sofia Coppola – Unbelievable that she was the first American woman to be nominated in that category. Unbelievable. Don’t tell me it’s not a big ol’ boy’s club out there. Good for her. Nobody GAVE her that movie. She used her father, yes, but nobody outside of her family has ever wanted to give her a goddamn thing. Remember how the very same people who applauded her accomplishment last night were BRUTAL when she had the “audacity” to try to act in her father’s movie. Stay strong, Sofia. Keep writing. Keep doing what you do best.
Sean Penn – The man is a genius. He gave two incredible performances this year. It seems that there is nothing he can’t do. And yet he approaches his work with such humility. He couldn’t transform himself that much if he didn’t have humility. His acting consistently reveals stuff to me about MYSELF – and this has been true with his work for years. He’s astonishing.
Tim Robbins – His acting in Mystic River is not only the best performance I have seen in the last 5 years – but it was a complete surprise coming from Robbins. I do not think Robbins is without talent, but I have found his work in the last 10 years to be kind of smirky. What we in the biz call “commenting on his own work”. He always seems to be winking at the audience. In Mystic River he threw all that away and completely transformed.
Peter Jackson – A stupendous accomplishment. He deserved all the awards he got. But because I am me, I will say this: The Lord of the Rings trilogy would not have been possible without the gorgeous and terrifying Heavenly Creatures, made by Jackson years ago, a film I am haunted by to this day. If you want to see an artist at work, without the special effects, go check out that film. In my opinion, the Ring Trilogy, even with all its spectacular effects, was, in essence, an “art film”, a “mood piece” and that is why it so touched people. Jackson didn’t just go for the effects, for the surface – If he had, we would not have responded to that film in such an intense way. Jackson went for the relationships, for the characters, for the creation of an entire WORLD. That’s why those films work on such a deep level. I don’t believe that Jackson would have been able to accomplish that if he hadn’t already proved how amazing he was with actors and with creating imaginary fantastical realms in the terrifying Heavenly Creatures. See that flick. Really.
Jackson deserves everything he got. The commitment it took, the imagination, the courage, the vision … People will be watching those films long after Jackson dies. He has left a legacy that will continue. Amazing.
I talk so much about all of this because I feel protective towards actors. I know people love them, but I know people make fun of them too.
I love actors. I love everything about them. I love how they believe in what they do, I love how they love other actors, I love them in their neuroses, I love them in their generosity – I love them when they get insecure, I love them when they need help, I love them when they shine … I love watching moments like – was it Sean Penn? I wish I could remember who it was. But some big actor, before the show started, came across the aisle to shake the hand of the Whale Rider actress … and her kind of overwhelmed look – and his serious sweet face, shaking her hand, obviously saying something like, “You are so amazing … thank you so much for that movie…” I believe them when they say “It was an honor to be nominated”, and when I saw Bill Murray’s face when he lost – I suddenly remembered Dustin Hoffman’s speech those many years ago – and I thought:
No. Bill Murray has not LOST. Bill Murray has not lost ANYTHING. Bill Murray has enriched my life with his performance in that film. I hope that other directors will give him chances like that again.
Well Done, O’Malley
This is the best post about the Oscars you will ever read….
“Insane”? In the span of four days I’ve gone from eloquent to insane.
Wasn’t it Johnny Depp who was with the Whale Rider actress?
I’m looking forward to seeing In America when it comes out on DVD, I’ve had it on my waiting list since you spoke so highly of it back in your year-end roundup.
After the start Sofia Coppola got off to (a movie Emily refuses to acknowledge the existence of), it truly says something about her ability that she was not only able to find work again, but she was able to succeed on the highest level.
Oscar Roundup
Sheila has not just one, but two Oscar entries. Emily congratulates Peter Jackson Mac says to tape them so you can skip through the bad stuff Dean claims victory for the geeks of the world….
Bill –
Many insane people are also very eloquent. I count myself as one of those people.
:)
Oh and yes – you were right. It was Johnny Depp. I just loved that moment.
I relate your experience with actors to my experience with stand up comics. With stand up comedy, I think it is at once easier than people realize and harder than anyone can imagine. Getting up and telling jokes? That’s easy. All it takes is a little bravado and an inability to be embarrassed. Lots of people have that. But being really good at it? Making people think while they laugh and having a real point of view? That’s harder than anyone can imagine. It was too hard for me, at least at the age I was doing it. I ultimately wasn’t willing to struggle long enough to reach the point where I could do what I wanted to do in that context. Anyone can be Jay Leno. Being Bill Hicks is beyond the reach of all but the very best.
Ed –
Most of the guys I’ve dated have been either stand-up comics or improv comedians – and you are so right. To be great in that field is harder than anyone can imagine. It really takes a mixture of sheer genius and rock-hard determination.
Sheila-
My first reaction on seeing you say that most of the men you’ve dated have been comics is “good lord, you poor woman”. Comics are not known for being good in relationships. You seem to have escaped relatively unharmed. Maybe you should have stuck with the Wolfman?
I’ll take a guy who makes it his business to make me laugh ANY day.
Yes, it comes with problems … many of them are alcoholics, or wackos, but God. The laughter. The laughter.
Bring it on.
(Oh, and I’m not all that good at relationships either. So the funny boys and I get along just fine.)
Wolf-Man was relatively humorless. And I’ll take a cornucopia of pscyhological problems as long as it’s a funny guy.
I have to admit, I didnt watch the Oscars last night. I usually try to stay up and watch them but this year was different for me. As far as Ive heard, there werent too many snark political comments made by the hollywood folks this year, which is good. But I didnt want to let my enjoyment of movies be tainted by “artists” again this year. i can no longer stand watching Tim Robbins or Danny Glover. I will never watch another Sean Penn movie (my loss, yes I know, because as you say Penn is a “genius.” An acting genius yes, but iventure to say he falls way short in the intellectual category). I know some people can distinguish the artist vs. the person but i cant. Once the person usues his artist status as a platform, then the two are the same.
Val,
That’s your choice. Fine. I am an artist. And I won’t put quotation marks around it.
Val-
I just don’t get the entire idea of rejecting a person’s movies because of their political views. It has never in my life occured to me to care what, for example, Kevin Spacey thinks on the subject of illegal immigration. It has zero bearing on whether he is a good actor or whether his movies are enjoyable. So you don’t like Sean Penn’s political beliefs. So what? I don’t care for Mel Gibson’s religious beliefs but that has nothing to do with whether his latest movie is any good or not. If you are unable to separate political ideology from anything else in life you’re going to miss out on a hell of a lot.
I don’t know if this is Val’s view or not – so I can’t speak for him – but it bugs me when people hate artists for using their celebrity as a platform for leftist views, mainly because I feel that these people just DISAGREE with the celebrity’s views. But then when a celebrity steps out like Charlton Heston or Patricia Heaton, or some of the more conservative celebs, who use their celebrity status as a platform to propel THEIR views – then the celebs are heroes. And intelligent.
I don’t like that.
Oh, so you AGREE with them, so they are intelligent? And if you DISAGREE with them, then they are unintelligent?
I do not like the tendency of labeling people as unintelligent merely because you disagree with them.
Again, I’m not saying this is Val’s view.
I say what better people to start dialogues around world events than people who are so squarely in the spotlight. I could give a shit for celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker and the fashionistas like her who use their celebrity to talk about such vapid topics as the best place to buy $500 flimsy Jimmy Choo shoes or being able to lose 30 pounds of baby weight in three weeks to fit into some overpriced designer dress. BORING.
I don’t like Chuck Heston’s politics particularly, but I love him in Planet of the Apes when he snarls “Get your hands off of me you damned dirty ape!!!” Once the credits start rolling, if he’s good at his craft, I’ll stop seeing Charlton Heston, the rabid gun lover and see the character he’s portraying. However, I’m not so sure I can forgive Mel Gibson’s rabid Catholicism at this point…but I’ve never been a huge fan..but I digress.
Even if I don’t agree with a celebrity’s politics, I do appreciate the notion of them doing something more with their status than getting bad press and free stuff that they could easily afford to pay for. Isn’t the point of art to educate as well as entertain?
Wait….does no one have an opinion on that opening bit done by Billy Crystal?
I know he’s done it before, but damn that guy is funny. The Sammy Davis bit and the take from Something’s Gotta Give had me doubled over with tears in my eyes. He’s a comedic genius. The choice of songs for the 5 best films…come on. Classically funny.
Yeah, it’s starting to feel like shtick (sp?), but it works.
Fee –
Yeah, girl. I mean – God, if I ever found myself in a position where I was world-famous, you think I’m not gonna try to do some good?? And just sit around talking about the latest opening I’ve been to, and how important my hair color is?
I hope that I would have more grace about it than a Janeane Garofalo or whatever, but – I don’t know. I don’t begrudge them speaking out on stuff they believe in. Even if I think they’re misguided, like Janeane.
But then again, I’ve always been a big-mouth.
Maybe that’s why you and I are friends, Fee.
I groaned more than I laughed during the opening bit, but the part with Michael Moore was hilarious.
Sheila,
I truly meant no disrespect with my comment. And maybe I didnt state exactly what I meant. Ill give you an example. Danny Glover. Not the best thespian out there but a good actor just the same. He signed a letter last year supporting Fidel Castro. I can no longer watch anything with him in it simply because of that. Sean Penn traveled to Iraq and make complete derrogatory statements about the POTUS, the armed forces, and americans in general. I cant watch anything by him because of that. I just cant separate the two. One thing is to use your recognition for a purpose, it’s another to do so irresponsibly. Johnny Depp said that all americans “were dumb puppies.” Are you a dumb puppy? I am not and I know damn well that you arent either. But what gives him the right to say such a moronic thing also gives me the right to choose whether or not I will pony up money to see his work.
If you consider Penn a genius then I will agree with you in that he is an acting genius, but thats as far as I will go.
I really meant no offense and if my lack of clarity in my comment did so, Im sorry, you know I love you and have the utmost respect for you.
Well Sheila:
I guess the point is, when you have the chance to state your piece, speak your mind, AND know that people will listen, you’d be foolish to pass it up.
Also, it doesn’t lessen the quality of the craft. I mean will you not watch the Matchmaker ever again because of Janeane’s politics? I don’t think so.
And in some ways, I think those actors who have other things going on in their lives other than parties, paparazzi, and fashion tend to be the best actors. Stupid actors don’t win awards. Period.
And who says you’re a big-mouth?!?
:)
Fee –
I love The Matchmaker. Love it. Thanks for remembering.
Val-
Hi there. I am a bit touchy on the subject. obviously. :) It is my community, after all.
I’ve written it before on this blog and I will say it again: and we’ll just have to disagree here, cause I’m coming from a different place:
I consider myself to be part of the community of artists BEFORE I consider myself to be part of the community of people who I agree with politically. If that makes sense.
I have been an actress and a writer since I was 7 years old. Those are my idols, the people I aspire to be like, the people I admire. The people who fill my soul, who fill me with awe. This language is not too hyperbolic. My love for acting WAY pre-date my politics. And my loyalty is with the actors. It just is.
Just because we may disagree does not mean I think you are dumb. :)
I also get really bothered by people who say in one breath that what actors think about politics is unimportant, but then get angry or abusive when one of them gives an opinion.
If it doesn’t matter, why in the hell does it bother you so much?
This isn’t to attack Val, but I’m really with Sheila. Many of my favorite artists – Jean Genet, Sean Penn, Merry and Pippin – can be real pillocks when it comes to politics, but that does not in any way diminish their artistic merit.
As a very wise blogger once said to me:
“Being pissed and shocked that people in Hollywood lean to the left is like being pissed and shocked that people on Wall Street lean to the right.”
Sheila,
I certainly dont think Penn, or Depp or Glover, etal, are dumb. The mere fact that the are succesful in thier calling attests to their abilities and intelligence. And I would really love to see Mystic River, I have just put down the book and can only imagine how good a film it is. I just couldnt, in good conscience, enjoy the movie. Id sitthere with this little nagging voice pestering me throughout. I understand where you are coming from however, and respect your opinion. By not watching their movies, I deprive no one but myself, and I can live with that, because to me it’s just a movie. Social commentary and human condition and all that apart, its still a film. (albeit if ts anything like the book a damn good one)
Fee, You said something that made me think. You stated
Isn’t the point of art to educate as well as entertain?
And I agree. But, when Penn visited Iraq, or Glover signed a letter stating Castro was the best thing since sliced bread,or Garafolo was saying that Old Glory made her sick, they werent acting. These thing were done outside of their artistic selves. The art only afforded them an opportunity to a podium. By doing these things they tainted their art and, to me, it now seems impure as I will not be able to detach the art from the politics.
Val –
well, you are certainly not alone in feeling that way, obviously.
If these people had politics that you agreed with, though, would you have an issue with it?
Or is it because these situations, or causes, or whatever you want to call it, like Castro’s Cuba, etc., are so close to your heart that you cannot separate?
“”Being pissed and shocked that people in Hollywood lean to the left is like being pissed and shocked that people on Wall Street lean to the right.”
In fairness, Wall Street is not nearly as far to the right, if at all, as Hollywood is to the left. I mean, Wall Street was still in Manhattan last I checked. Not that I really think this says anything in the wider discussion.
I probably fall somewhere between your and Val’s position’s, though almost certainly more out of lazy indifference than either of you. Would I ever be able to get completely out of my mind that such-and-such actor was a thoroughly annoying nutjob? Probably not, but I’m open to the possibility, and wouldn’t go out of my way to avoid them.
I believe that if and when are ever gets “tainted”, it’s something that happens in our heads and not to the art itself. It’s possible to become aware of a tangible flaw in art that one previously failed to perceive, but it’s not possible for a work of art to retroactively change because of something the artist does later in life. Did Broadway Danny Rose somehow become a different movie sitting there in the film canister because Woody decided to hook up with his step-daughter at a later date?
Putting politics ahead of art is certainly a valid personal choice, but one should be honest about it (I’m speaking in general terms). A work of cannot mystically change from good to bad or bad to good depending on one’s perception of the political persuasion of the artist. It is and will always be whatever it was to start with – unless George Lucas – er, the artist – decides to rewrite history and destroy the original.
For me, art will always win out…
Well, Dave, if you can think of a better analogy – or a place where people are uniformly conservative, or right-wing, what have you, then THAT is the analogy I need.
What the hell do people expect? A bunch of grown-ups who run around pretending to be other people are gonna be right-wing conservatives? Come on, now.
Obviously, I feel passionately about this. For the reasons I stated. Nothing is more important to me than art. That’s it. I love that we live in a country where artists can express themselves. It blew me away, that Iranian actress up for the Oscar, talking about how she would watch the Oscars as a kid in Iran – wishing that one day she would be there.
That’s the kind of community I am talking about, that transcends opinion, transcends viewpoints.
Sheila,
I dont know really. Glover’s thing for me is inexcusable, but maybe that’s because I am Cuban and am a little closer to that than others. Penn, Garafolo, etal, have every right to their opinions and far be it for me to try to deny them that. However,as Americans, we voice our opinions with our vote. They didnt like the fact that we went to war in Iraq, fine. Excersize your right as an American and back an anti-war candidate, fund him, vote for him, whatever. More power to them. But do these things responsibly. I may not like so and so as a president, but Im not going to call him a fascist or a Nazi simply because I dont like him. There just seemed to be no respect coming from them. Along with our rights to express opinions come the responsibility to that right.
That kind of intolerant bigotry comes from both sides, though, Val, as I am sure you know. Like Sean Hannity’s book, stating the need to defeat terrorism and liberalism…
Putting “liberalism” up there with terrorism??
I find that completely offensive, very dangerous, and completely anti-American.
And I think, too, in times of war – passions are going to heat up, and people polarize. It has happened throughout our history as a country, in times of war. People stack up on both sides, and people who probably have no business speaking out (at least in terms of credentials) suddenly feel the need to shout out their views.
The Lindberghs are a perfect example.
They were so wrong about their beliefs that it is embarrassing to go back and read their first-hand accounts of those years …
But I think we are in that situation now. A time of high tension, high drama, where the stakes are high for everybody. I don’t see a lot of people acting responsibly on either side of the fence.
“Well, Dave, if you can think of a better analogy – or a place where people are uniformly conservative, or right-wing, what have you, then THAT is the analogy I need.”
Texas. ;-) Talking about Wall Street just invariably reminded me of a piece I’d read a couple of weeks back, I don’t remember by whom, about how some ostensibly conservative politicians (at least far too many of them) equate “the demands of big business” with “shorthand for free enterprise.” Existing businesses often, if not constantly, seek to gain economic advantages via government, if they have sufficient influence–and such corporate welfare amounts to mercantilism, not capitalism.
“What the hell do people expect? A bunch of grown-ups who run around pretending to be other people are gonna be right-wing conservatives? Come on, now.”
I certainly don’t. It would be absurd to expect that. But it’s hardly inappropriate to hold actors to the same standards as the rest of us when it comes to political issues: people who say mind-bogglingly ignorant things deserve to be held up to ridicule if not scorn for it. If you say such things publicly, don’t expect to have your starements go unquestioned, and don’t cry “censorship” if anyone suggests you might be wrong.
Dave –
Of course not. That’s not what I’m suggesting and I think that actors who cry censorship are idiots. Definitely.
I’m really just saying that my love of their art is way way bigger than any disagreement I might have on this or that view.
Most of my dear friends are liberal actors. Who are intelligent, well-read, compassionate, fierce about their opinions, curious, loving, humble, filled with common sense, etc.
We read the same things, we come to different conclusions. And I make no judgment on their intelligence because of that.
As you can see, I am very protective of actors because many people (not you) make big blanket statements about actors and celebrities in general – and I take it personally. I have grown up around actors, half of my family are actors – maybe it’s because Hollywood makes such an easy target – but I don’t like it, and I will always defend that community.
I will call a spade a spade, and I have done so in the past – but it won’t keep me from going to the movies of artists I love, and appreciating their work.
“many people (not you) make big blanket statements about actors and celebrities in general – and I take it personally…”
That’s cuz yer all a bunch of commie morons. :-P
Well, now I can include you in those who make big blanket statements.
I maintain my position.
Suddenly the word “angle” looks weird. That CAN’T be how you spell that word … it looks so strange all of a sudden.
Er, you knew I was joking about the “commie morons” thing, right?
And yes, that IS how you spell “angle.” But all words look weird if you look at them long enough. It is, after all, only a learned behavior to think of all these black symbols on white as “looking” like sounds.
Dave J-
sigh. Yes, I knew you were kidding.
It’s not the fact that they’re predominantly liberal that makes Hollywood folks say dumb things – it’s the false sense of self that they get from fame. Actors on the right are affected in exactly the same way – there just aren’t as many of them. Some people do a better job of staying grounded and sane under extreme conditions than others, but nobody is completely unfazed.
The whole damn world needs to grow up and inject some common sense into the way we look at the famous. What we do to celebrities is basically a morphed version of the madonna / whore complex, and it does a lot of harm to not only them, but us as well. We need to stop with all the idolizing and demonizing and treat these folks the same as we’d treat anyone else.
No, I will not be holding my breath.
Where did the Oscars take place? Like, what was the name of the areana?
Well Done, O’Malley
This is the best post about the Oscars you will ever read….